Golf putting game

ABSTRACT

A target block for a golf putting game or the like is disclosed which includes a base portion having at least one upwardly inclined sloping surface leading to a hole included in a flat elevated surface and a rear wall extending along and above a portion of said sloping surface and flat surface. Modifications to such block structure can be made by varying the number and relative geometry of the inclined surfaces, the position of the hole in the elevated flat surface and the shape of the rear wall, whereby a number of different target block forms according to the same principles can be made for placement in spaced apart relationship on a surface to form a game layout.

United States Patent 11 1 1 3,909,006

Arbaugh 1 Sept. 30, 1975 i 1 GOLF PUTTING GAME Primary E.\'aminerGeorge .1. Marlo [76] Inventor: Roland R Arbaugh 2316 E 290 Attorney, Agent, or FirmDonnel1y, Maky, Renner &

St., Wickliffe, Ohio 44092 Om) [22] Filed: Jan. 16, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 433,706

A target block for a golf putting game or the like is disclosed which includes a base portion having at least [52] US. Cl..., 273/176 AA; 273/178 R; 273/1 B one upwardly inclined sloping surface leading to a [51] A63B 67/02; A63B 57/00 hole included in a fiat elevated surface and a rear wall [58] Field of'Search 273/176, 177, 178, 179, extending along and above a portion of Said sloping 273/130- 57 surface and flat surface. Modifications to such block structure can be made by varying the number and re]- l References cued ative geometry of the inclined surfaces, the position of UNITED STATES PATENTS the hole in the elevated flat surface and the shape of 1,510,239 9 1924 Monosmith 273 177 R x the rear Wall, whereby a number of different target 1,783,089 11/1930 Hokin 273/177 R block forms according to the same principles can be 2.121370 6/1938 Streich 273/180 made for placement in spaced apart relationship on a 2,473 680 6/1949 FZllTlS 273/127 B urface to form a game laycut 3.059931 10/1962 Garcia .1 273/179 C X 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures U.S. Patfint Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,909,006

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GOLF PUTTING GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application pertains to a game of the type which is played by striking a ball with a putter or mallet for directing the ball toward a target. In general, games of this type require a considerable area and do not afford much variation. In addition, such games are not usually well suited for both indoor and outdoor use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A golf putting game or the like includes a plurality of blocks having ball receiving holes therein and sloping surfaces which slope upwardly toward the ball receiving holes.

The blocks are positioned in spaced-apart relationship on a plane surface. At least certain of the blocks have the sloping surfaces thereon extending substantially less than 360 therearound so that the ball is rollable into the holes in the certain blocks only from directions which face the sloping surfaces.

In a preferred arrangement, the blocks include a plurality of different shapes in order to vary the skill required for directing the ball into the hole in the differcnt blocks.

In one arrangement, the blocks include a plurality of peripheral blocks having rear edges lying on the periphcry of an area. Certain of the peripheral blocks have opposite sloping surfaces which slope upwardly toward one another, and front sloping surfaces. The front sloping surface on one block may lie in a flat plane, while the front sloping surface on another block may lie on the surface of a cone. Still another block may have the front surface thereof divided into a plurality of generally trapezoidal-shaped flat surfaces.

The peripheral blocks preferably include rear walls extending upwardly from the rear edges thereof above the upper peripheral edge of the hole. The rear wall provides a back stop which helps to keep the ball in the playing area. The peripheral blocks include corner blocks having the rear walls thereon extending substantially perpendicular to one another.

In a preferred layout, there are a plurality of peripheral blocks and central blocks, with a plurality of the peripheral blocks having shapes which are different from one another and from the central blocks.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new golf putting type of game.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a game having varying degrees of difficulty for each hole.

Another objcct'of the invention is to provide such a game which can easily be played either indoors or outdoors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a plan view showing a game layout and one type of game which may be played,

FlG. 2 is a plan view of a game layout showing another type of game which can be played;

H6. 3 is a side elevational view of one block looking generally in the direction of arrows 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a front elcvational view looking generally in the direction of arrows 44 of FIG. 2.

DESCRlPTlON OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a game layout which includes a plurality of spaced-apart blocks identified by numerals 1 through 9 and representing golf holes or the like. Each block l9 may be molded or constructed of any suitable material including metal, wood or synthetic plastics. Various types of surface finishes may also be provided on the blocks if so desired.

The shape of one block will be described in detail and the shape of other blocks will be readily apparent. Block 3 includes a base portion 12 having a flat bottom surface 14 and a centrally located hole 16 therein. The game is adapted to be played with a ball 20 having a predetermined diameter, such as a regulation size golf ball. At least the upper peripheral edge of hole 16 has a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of ball 20, such as around 30-50 percent larger. Block 3 includes opposite upwardly sloping plane surfaces 22 and 24 which slope upwardly toward one another from the opposite side edges of base portion 12 at angles of around 30 to the horizontal. Block 3 includes a front upwardly sloping surface 26 which slopes upwardly from the front edge of base portion 12 at an angle of about 30 to the horizontal. Front sloping surface 26 defines a portion of a frusto-conical surface. Block 3 has a straight rear edge 30 and a rear wall 32 extends upwardly from the rear edge a substantial distance above the upper peripheral edge of hole 16. A centrally located flat surface 34 is provided on base portion 12 between hole 16 and forward surface 36 of rear wall 32. The distance between rear wall forward surface 36 and hole 16 is sufficient so that ball 20 of predetermined diameter may roll across block 3 on surface 34 without dropping into hole 16. This increases the difficulty of the game because a person may putt from one side of a block to the other without necessarily having the ball fall into the hole. Forward surface 36 of rear wall 32 is preferably inclined back toward rear edge 30 from a vertical plane extending perpendicular to flat surface 34. The height of rear wall 32 is preferably slightly greater than one-half the predetermined diameter of ball 20. Rear wall 32 has a central upper edge extending parallel to flat surface 34, and opposite sloping upper edges extending parallel to side sloping surfaces 22 and 24.

By way of example, assume that ball 20 has a diameter of around 1% inches. Block 3 then has a length from back edge 30 to its front edge of around 7% inches. Block 3 has a width across its opposite side edges of around 8 inches. Base portion 12 has a thickness from bottom 14 to flat surface 34 of around 1% inch. The height of the central portion of rear wall 32 at flat surface 34 is around 2% inches. The other blocks are similarly dimensioned.

Numerals l-9 are shown at the bottom of the hole in each block. It will be recognized that such numerals can be located on other surfaces of the blocks. When the hole does not extend completely through each block. the numeral may be molded in or stamped into the bottom of each hole. The numerals may also be located in the bottom of each hole by a heat transfer operation. Obviously, the numerals can be painted or otherwise located on each block.

The block identified by numeral 4 has the same shape as block number 3, and similar numerals have been used to identify its shape.

Blocks 7 and 8 are shaped somewhat similar to blocks 3 and 4, and common features have been given common numerals. However, blocks 7 and 8 are different from blocks 3 and 4 by having the front sloping sur face thereon divided into a plurality of trapezoidalshaped plane sloping surfaces 42 which extend upward from the horizontal at angles of around 30. Therefore, the direction from which a ball must be putted toward the front surface of blocks 7 and 8 in order to deposit the ball in the hole is different from the approach direction of blocks 3 and 4.

Block 9 is shaped similarly to blocks 3, 4, 7 and 8, and common features have been given common numerals. However, the front sloping surface on block 9 comprises a single flat plane surface 44 sloping upward from the front edge of block 9 at an angle of about 30. Front sloping surface 44 on block 9 has a generally trapezoidal shape. The front sloping surface or surfaces on each of blocks 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 completely spans across side sloping surfaces 22 and 24 which also lie in planes extending substantially perpendicular to rear edges 30.

Corner blocks 2 and 5 have rear edges and 51 extending perpendicular to one another. Rear walls 52 and 53 extend upwardly perpendicular to one another above flat surface 55. Corner blocks 2 and 5 each has a single upwardly sloping surface defined by a front plane sloping surface 56 which slopes upwardly from the horizontal at an angle of about 30. Front sloping surface 56 has a generally rectangular shape.

Central block 6 has hole 16 centrally located therein and sloping surface 60 defining a frusto-conical surface which is inclined upwardly at an angle of around 30 toward hole 16 therein.

Block 1 has only opposite sloping surfaces 62 and 64 which slope upwardly toward one another at angles of around 30 to the horizontal.

Blocks 1-9 are positioned in FIG. 1 with the rear edges thereof lying on periphery of a rectangular area. By way of example, the rectangular area may have a width of around four feet and a length of around six feet. Blocks 1-9 are positioned in spaced-apart relationship. A plurality of peripheral blocks are defined by blocks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9. Central blocks are defined by blocks 1 and 6. With the blocks positioned as shown in FIG. 1, an imaginary tee line 72 may be located and one or more balls may be positioned as shown at locations 74, 75 and 76. The ball is putted from each location to different holes as indicated by the arrows leading out from each location 7476.

FIG. 2 shows another game arrangement wherein the rear edges of the peripheral blocks also lie on the periphery of an area which may be substantially larger than the area of FIG. 1. An initial tee point 82 is established in FIG. 2 for starting the game. The person then putts for sinking the ball in hole number 1. The game proceeds as shown by the arrows with tee locations indicated by circled numerals corresponding to the numeral on the block toward which the ball is next rolled. The arrangement of FIG. 2 is designed so that at least two strokes will generally be required for each hole. It will be recognized that any number of players or teams may play the games.

The blocks may be located on any desirable flat surface either indoors or outdoors. It will be recognized that the blocks have a plurality of different shapes in order to provide varying degrees of difficulty. Block 6 has sloping surface 60 thereon extending 360 therearound. Blocks 3, 4, 7 and 9 have sloping surfaces thereon extending approximately 270 therearound.

Block 1 has sloping surfaces thereon extending approximately 180 therearound. Corner blocks 2 and 5 each has a sloping surface extending approximately around the periphery thereof. In the arrangement shown and described, there are six differently shaped blocks. These are defined by blocks 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 9, with blocks 4, 5 and 8 being respectively the same as blocks 3, 2 and 8.

In any game layout, there are a plurality of blocks with at least certain of the blocks having sloping surfaces thereon extending substantially less than 360 therearound so that a ball is rollable into the hole in those certain blocks only from directions which face the sloping surfaces thereon. In the block arrangements shown and described, all of the blocks except block 6 define the certain blocks having sloping surfaces thereon extending substantially less than 360 therearound. All of peripheral blocks 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 have their rear edges located on the periphery of an area, and the sloping surfaces on those peripheral blocks are within the defined area. The non-sloping surfaces thereon face outwardly relative to the defined area. All of the peripheral blocks have rear walls thereon extending upwardly above the upward periph' eral edge of the hole therein.

The rear edges of the peripheral blocks have nonsloping surfaces in the sense that a ball cannnot be rolled up the rear surfaces into the hole. The rear surfaces may actually be inclined to the vertical as shown in FIG. 3 but the inclination from the horizontal is so steep that the rear surfaces actually define abutment surfaces which the ball of predetermined diameter would simply bounce from.

It will be recognized that many variations and modifications of the blocks and games can be made by persons skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In a game played with a golf ball, a striking member, and several different blocks adapted to lie in spaced apart relationship on a surface, a plurality of different blocks each comprising a base portion and rear wall, said base portion having at least one upwardly sloping front surface leading to a hole which is of diameter larger than a golf ball and which is at least partially included in a flat elevated horizontal surface, and two other upwardly sloping surfaces at opposite sides which intersect said flat surface along lines which are substantially tangent to opposite sides of said hole and which intersect said front sloping surface along lines which converge upwardly and rearwardly, said rear wall extending along and above portions of said two other sloping and flat base portion surfaces, with the rear wall above such two other and flat surfaces being inclined slightly with respect to the vertical to form an obtuse angle with said flat surface and being greater in height than the radius of a golf ball, said rear wall being spaced rearwardly of the rear peripheral portion of said hole a distance such that a golf ball may roll on said flat surface along said rear wall between said hole and said rear wall without falling into said hole.

wherein said converging lines terminate rearwardly of the front peripheral portion of said hole.

4. The blocks of claim 1 wherein said front sloping surface of at least one of said plurality of different blocks is a generally trapezoidal-shaped plane surface which intersects said flat surface at a line which is substantially tangent to the front peripheral portion of said 

1. In a game played with a golf ball, a striking member, and several different blocks adapted to lie in spaced apart relationship on a surface, a plurality of different blocks each comprising a base portion and rear wall, said base portion having at least one upwardly sloping front surface leading to a hole which is of diameter larger than a golf ball and which is at least partially included in a flat elevated horizontal surface, and two other upwardly sloping surfaces at opposite sides which intersect said flat surface along lines which are substantially tangent to opposite sides of said hole and which intersect said front sloping surface along lines which converge upwardly and rearwardly, said rear wall extending along and above portions of said two other sloping and flat base portion surfaces, with the rear wall above such two other and flat surfaces being inclined slightly with respect to the vertical to form an obtuse angle with said flat surface and being greater in height than the radius of a golf ball, said rear wall being spaced rearwardly of the rear peripheral portion of said hole a distance such that a golf ball may roll on said flat surface along said rear wall between said hole and said rear wall without falling into said hole.
 2. The blocks of claim 1 wherein said front sloping surface of at least one of said plurality of different blocks is frusto-conical; and wherein said converging lines terminate rearwardly of the front peripheral portion of said hole.
 3. The blocks of claim 1 wherein said front sloping surface of at least one of said plurality of different blocks includes a plurality of generally trapezoidal-shaped plane surfaces which have at least one line of intersection between said converging lines; and wherein said converging lines terminate rearwardly of the front peripheral portion of said hole.
 4. The blocks of claim 1 wherein said front sloping surface of at least one of said plurality of different blocks is a generally trapezoidal-shaped plane surface which intersects said flat surface at a line which is substantially tangent to the front peripheral portion of said hole. 